DipNote: Latest Storieshttps://blogs.state.gov/latest-storiesDipNote is the official blog of the U.S. Department of State.enHelping to Restore Water Infrastructure to Iraqi Town Liberated from ISIShttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/6-bC1nfhwlA/28381Solomon BlackTue, 26 Sep 2017 05:16:58 PDTnode-28381-[delta]

In June 2014, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) seized Ba’ashiqah, a small town located just outside the city of Mosul in northern Iraq’s Ninewa Province. Families were forced to flee their homes, taking with them only what they could carry on their backs or fit in their vehicles. Those who remained suffered two years of brutal occupation by ISIS. Iraqi forces launched a massive offensive to retake the town during the Battle for Mosul, and the town was liberated from ISIS control in early November 2016. However, area residents continue to face daily dangers from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) left behind by fleeing ISIS fighters.

ISIS adopted a “scorched earth” policy in many of the areas it controlled, including Ba’ashiqah. The terrorist group tried to make it impossible for civilians to re-inhabit them either by destroying or by placing explosives around critical infrastructure, such as electrical equipment, water treatment facilities, hospitals, public health centers, and schools. With support from the Department of State and U.S. Embassy Baghdad, our implementing partner Janus Global Operations has undertaken the difficult and dangerous job of finding and safely removing many of these explosive hazards. This work will allow local governments and humanitarian organizations to conduct the hard work of repairing and rebuilding infrastructure, a key first step to enabling families to return home and begin bringing daily life back to normal.

A search team member in Ba’ashiqah checks the earth for IEDs following a positive signal from his mine detector.

Operations in Ba’ashiqah show the importance of getting key infrastructure back online. The town’s water system suffered extensive damage during the fight to liberate the town; what remained was ringed with deadly IEDs. After the town was freed from ISIS, initial efforts to repair the facilities were hampered by explosive hazards that made it unsafe for workers and equipment to be brought in to make repairs. Recently, Janus completed clearance of explosives from around the Basakhrah water well, pump house, and water pipeline which serve the local agricultural office and surrounding homes.

The primary explosive threats hampering repairs were two large IED belts that were placed by ISIS to protect against attacks by the Iraqi forces. One of the IED belts ran parallel to the pipeline and presented a major threat to teams tasked with repairing the conduit. After identifying the threat, a U.S.-funded Janus team swiftly deployed to the site to conduct clearance operations. In 35 days, Janus successfully completed the clearance of the pipeline, pump house, and water well, allowing the site manager to return and begin repair work. Once fully repaired, the facility will provide water for as many as two thousand families. During the course of this project, Janus cleared 11,700 square meters (approx. 125,938 sq. ft.) of previously contaminated land and removed 237 IEDs.

Marking one of the 237 ISIS-laid IEDs removed during the clearance of the water pipeline in Ba’ashiqah.

With smart investments in the work of partners like Janus to support reconstruction, the United States demonstrates its enduring commitment to partnership with the Iraqi people. These efforts are not only making a difference in the lives of ordinary Iraqis, but they are also hastening the defeat of ISIS, a violent and merciless terrorist group which threatens international security, including the security of the United States and its allies.

]]>A story of demining in Iraq to help restore water service to a town liberated from ISIS.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28381DipNote Celebrates 10 Yearshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/9EwTz1t9gjo/28371Heather NauertMon, 25 Sep 2017 15:15:23 PDTnode-28371-[delta]

Ten years ago today, my predecessor Sean McCormack launched the Department of State’s official blog DipNote. At the time of its launch, DipNote – a term that refers to a diplomatic note, one of the many ways in which governments formally communicate with each other – was the first federal agency-wide blog. In the blog’s inaugural entry, Sean wrote that he hoped DipNote would provide “a window into the work of the people responsible for our foreign policy.”

As I have previously written on this blog, I’ve been impressed by the hard work and dedication of the Foreign and Civil Service employees at the State Department and USAID. Every day, I see how State Department and USAID public servants experience their work with great pride and honor. My colleagues view their work as a calling, a duty, and an obligation to represent what is best about America to the world. I’m personally honored and humbled to have the opportunity to join them and represent the United States as Department Spokesperson.

As we mark this milestone, I want to thank our readers, who have loyally followed DipNote for a decade. We are grateful for your ongoing support. I’d also like to express my gratitude to the digital team in the State Department’s Bureau of Public Affairs. You have worked tirelessly to innovate and maintain this site; on behalf of your public affairs colleagues, thank you. Finally, I want to thank all of the State Department and USAID employees who have contributed to this blog – you have helped us show how your work truly embodies America’s dedication to creating a safer and more prosperous world.

About the Author: Heather Nauert serves at State Department Spokesperson. For more from Heather, follow @StateDeptSpox on Twitter.

The young people I’ve met lately are a creative and whip-smart bunch. And they’re working hard to build the world they want to live in. The best part of my job at USAID is seeing the bright ideas they send to us every day.

Everett Kroll, a Minnesota high school student, submitted a design for a 3D-printed prosthetic leg that would cost less than $100. Old-fashioned prosthetics can cost tens of thousands of dollars, putting them out of reach of many amputees in developing countries. With two clinical trials underway, the possibility of getting prosthetics to the people that need them most, at a price they can afford, may be in reach.

Maps to Fight Malaria in AfricaStudents at more than 60 universities have joined forces with YouthMappers to turn satellite imagery into maps. This can make a big difference in countries where maps only show big cities or major roads. One project aims to reduce the spread of malaria in Mozambique, Kenya, Mali and Rwanda. Students are mapping roads, buildings and bodies of water to help target insecticide spraying more effectively. This leads to better mosquito control and fewer cases of malaria.

A Tool for Safer ChildbirthLori Zhang, a New Jersey high school student, designed a low-cost device to make labor and childbirth safer for women in developing countries. Her prototype is designed to reduce obstetric fistulas — maternal injuries that can cause incontinence and pain. The device decreases the stress on the parts of the body that are most vulnerable, preventing injury.

Family members practice new skills with Noora Health at a hospital. (Noora Health photo)

Healthier Heart Patients in India

When four students at Stanford were randomly assigned to a group class project, they never imagined their work would continue after the semester ended. They started researching what happens when cardiac patients are released from hospitals in India, and learned that many return to villages where doctors and nurses are scarce. So the four students created Noora Health to train family members on basic healthcare skills so they can care for their loved ones after they return home.

Created by Claire Reid when she was 16, Reel Gardening makes it easy for anyone to grow their own vegetables, even with limited space and water. Seeds and fertilizer come embedded in an easy-to-use, biodegradable paper tape. The tape shows you how deep to plant the seeds and how far apart. It’s getting lots of kids in South Africa excited about growing food and eating healthy veggies.

A New Generation of Female Engineers in Kenya

Two students at Duke University started an engineering club at an all-girls school in Kenya, teaching engineering and design skills through hands-on projects. The students’ first challenge was designing and building flashlights for everyone at the school. The club’s founders, Kendall Covington and Mikayla Wickman, ran a successful Indiegogo campaign to collect money for materials, and they’re already making plans to expand.

Phone Alerts for Clean Water in India

Many communities in India struggle with an unreliable water supply. A water line might have water in it for only a few hours every couple of days. That means people waste a lot of time waiting at taps, and turn to unsafe water sources if they get frustrated. To solve this problem, a team of students at UC-Berkeley developed Nextdrop, which uses crowdsourced information and sends text message alerts when the water is flowing.

Abraham Solomon, a 2010 UC-Davis grad, founded Agriworksto help farmers in Uganda get access to better irrigation tools and grow more food. The team developed a mobile, modular irrigation system for smallholder farmers that fits on a motorcycle chassis. Each mobile system can be shared by multiple farmers, keeping costs down. The irrigation systems use surface water and straightforward sprayers, making them easy to understand and maintain.

The young people behind these projects have all received support from USAID’s Global Development Lab, which brings new voices into international development. And we want to keep the great ideas coming. So, if you’re a new college student or a recent grad, it’s a great time to think about how you can use your talents to solve an important problem. You’re never too young to change the world.

Learn more about USAID’s Global Development Lab here or follow @globaldevlab on Twitter.

]]>Young people are working hard to build the world they want to live in. They have come up with innovative ideas - from 3D-printable prosthetics to a low-cost device that prevents childbirth injuries.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28366This Week at State: September 22, 2017http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/2J5FRFikniM/28356DipNote BloggersFri, 22 Sep 2017 12:50:37 PDTnode-28356-[delta]

Did you miss key foreign policy developments this week? We’ve got you covered. Each week, DipNote recaps the latest U.S. Department of State highlights spanning a wide range of global issues, events, and initiatives in one blog post.

World leaders gathered in New York City this week for the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 72). During this session of UNGA, the United States had opportunities to engage multilaterally and bilaterally to advance U.S. priorities in several key areas, including: addressing the threat to global peace and security posed by North Korea; deescalating the conflict in Syria; broadening multilateral counterterrorism efforts to defeat ISIS and other terrorist organizations; taking bold steps on UN reform; and bolstering support for humanitarian assistance to ongoing emergencies.

President Trump Delivers Remarks to the UN General Assembly

President Donald J. Trump delivered remarks to the United Nations General Assembly on September 19, in which he addressed efforts to promote peace, promote prosperity, and uphold sovereignty and accountability. The President discussed common challenges, such as terrorism and nuclear proliferation, and underscored that peace depends on the contributions of all nations and respect for state sovereignty and the rule of law.

President Trump Calls for UN Reform

One of President Trump’s core objectives for U.S. participation in this year’s UN General Assembly meeting is to pursue reform at the United Nations, to ensure the organization is accountable to member states and is run more effectively and efficiently. The President delivered remarks at the Reforming the United Nations: Management, Security, and Development Meeting. Vice President Pence also addressed the topic during remarks before the United Nations Security Council on peacekeeping operations.

On September 21, Secretary Tillerson delivered remarks to the United Nations Security Council’s Session on Nuclear Non-Proliferation. In a statement to member countries, the Secretary outlined for ways all member countries can come together to prevent the spread of the world’s most dangerous weapons.

“As a body committed to security, we must treat nuclear proliferation with the seriousness it deserves. For those of us on the Security Council, counteracting nuclear threats begins with full enforcement of the UN Security Council resolutions all member-states are bound to implement. To make sure all nations are able to play their part, we must continue to work for full and effective implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540. But signing treaties and passing resolutions is not enough. Stopping nuclear proliferation also entails exercising other levers of power, whether diplomatic, economic, digital, moral, or, if necessary, military. Ultimately, we each have a sovereign responsibility to ensure that we keep the world safe from nuclear warfare, the aftermath of which will transgress all borders.” – Secretary Tillerson’s Remarks to UNSC Meeting on Nonproliferation]

United States Expands Authorities for U.S. Sanctions With Respect to North Korea

On September 21, President Trump held a trilateral meeting with the leaders of Japan and the Republic of Korea in New York City and issued a new Executive Order that expands authorities for U.S. sanctions with respect to North Korea.

Great meeting w/ S.Korea & Japan on our alliance & working together w/ a unified voice to pressure N.Korea to end their nuclear lawlessness. pic.twitter.com/XuUOd9m0EA

Throughout the week, several U.S. officials addressed the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton provided an update at the New York Foreign Press Center.

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Secretary Tillerson Chairs Meeting on the Situation in Syria

On September 18, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson chaired a ministerial meeting on Syria on the margins of UNGA 72. The meeting focused on the defeat of ISIS, ending the violence in Syria, and finding a political solution.

Acting Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs David Satterfield provided a readout of the ministerial meeting, emphasizing the clear consensus to “defeat Daesh, priority; end the violence, priority; basic stabilization to address the humanitarian situation in Syria produced by the violence; allow the return of displaced persons both within Syria to their homes but also from outside Syria back into the country.”

United States Participates in Global Counterterrorism Forum

Throughout UNGA 72, the United States engaged with foreign partners to build political support for American counterterrorism objectives and policies. The United States is focusing on whole-of-government efforts to defeat ISIS, al-Qa’ida, and other global terrorist groups.

On September 20, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Tom Bossert, delivered remarks to the Global Counterterrorism Forum; afterwards, U.S Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator for Counterterrorism Nathan A. Sales provided a readout of the Forum’s discussions.

On September 22, Secretary Tillerson participated in a D-ISIS Coalition Meeting on the margins of UNGA. This meeting, which was a follow-up to the March 2017 meeting of the entire Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, convened a smaller group of foreign ministers to discuss the next phase of the campaign.

Afterwards, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS Brett McGurk gave a readout following the Global Coalition meeting. The Secretary led the meeting by thanking our coalition partners for really their incredibly generous support, their ongoing support, and also emphasizing that while we’re making extraordinary progress... we need to make sure we keep our foot on the gas and follow through.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke with Burmese State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on September 19. During this conversation, Secretary Tillerson welcomed the Burmese government’s commitment to end the violence in Rakhine State and urged them to do more to facilitate humanitarian aid.

On September 20, Acting Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees and Migration Simon Henshaw gave a special briefing on U.S. humanitarian assistance to Burma. The briefing followed the Department of State’s announcement of an additional nearly $32 million in humanitarian assistance to assist internally displaced persons in Burma and refugees from Burma in the region.

Acting Assistant Secretary Henshaw noted this additional funding brings the total amount of assistance to nearly $95 million for the fiscal year and “reflects U.S. leadership in addressing the unprecedented magnitude of suffering and urgent humanitarian needs in the region.”

USAID Disaster Experts Deploy to Assist Victims of Mexico Earthquake

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered thoughts and U.S. assistance to the people and government of Mexico following the September 19 earthquake. During a press availability on September 20, Secretary Tillerson said that President Trump had spoken to Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and had offered a large search and rescue team to assist with the relief efforts.

Secretary Tillerson: I extend my thoughts & prayers to the people of #Mexico. We stand with you in the aftermath of two massive earthquakes. pic.twitter.com/reWUUYtrFJ

The United States deployed an elite team of disaster experts from USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance and an urban search-and-rescue team from the Los Angeles County Fire Department to support the Government of Mexico by conducting damage assessments and coordinating with local authorities and aid groups to bring critical assistance to local people

As Hurricane Maria affected the Caribbean, the United States expressed its solidarity with the people of the region. During a press availability on September 20, Secretary Tillerson said, “I want to begin, first, by extending our condolences to all those who have suffered, continue to suffer, from the devastation from the natural disasters that we are witnessing around the Western Hemisphere.”

Throughout the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the United States has engaged with foreign partners to build political support for American counterterrorism objectives and policies. We are focusing on whole-of-government efforts to defeat ISIS, al-Qa’ida, and other global terrorist groups.

The Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) was established in 2011 to strengthen the international civilian architecture for addressing 21st century terrorist threats. With a primary focus on strengthening criminal justice and other rule of law institutions that confront terrorism, the GCTF aims to diminish terrorist recruitment and increase countries’ capabilities for dealing with terrorist threats within their borders and regions. The United States was a founding co-chair of the GCTF with Turkey; the GCTF is currently chaired by Morocco and the Netherlands.

As an example of its important work, the GCTF spent the past year developing a set of good practices for protecting soft targets. Terrorists increasingly are attacking soft targets like restaurants, cultural sites, and stadiums where people gather to shop, dine, and conduct business. These public spaces are designed to be open and inviting. That makes them attractive to visitors, but it can also make them vulnerable to a terrorist attack. Over the past few years, we’ve seen this deadly trend in places like Bamako, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Istanbul, Jakarta, London, Nice, and Ouagadougou. We’ve also seen it here at home, in Orlando and San Bernardino.

Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Tom Bossert, head of the U.S. delegation at GCTF, delivers remarks at the Forum.

This week in New York, on the margins of the UNGA, the United States and other members of the GCTF endorsed the Antalya Memorandum on Good Practices on the Protection of Soft Targets in a Counterterrorism Context. This document guides governments and private industry alike as they work together to develop polices, practices, and programs to protect potential soft targets from terrorist attacks.

GCTF members also endorsed the Zurich-London Recommendations on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism Online. These internationally recognized, non-binding recommendations include good practices for content-based responses, while respecting freedom of speech and upholding the rule of law, and communications-based responses, including counter-messaging.

In the coming year, the United States will continue to work with international partners by joining Jordan as the co-chairs of the GCTF’s Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTF) working group. Under the auspices of the FTF working group, the United States announced the following new initiatives in New York:

The Initiative on Addressing the Challenge of Returning Families of Foreign Terrorist Fighters: The Netherlands and the United States will lead a new initiative focusing on the families of foreign terrorist fighters who have come home from the war zone in Iraq and Syria. The initiative has a number of basic objectives. We want to be able to effectively assess the motivations and sympathies of returning family members. We want to tailor existing tools so we can mitigate the threat of radicalized returnees. And we want to develop a set of non-binding good practices that will serve as the basis for international engagement, assistance, and training.

The Initiative to Address Homegrown Terrorists: Morocco and the United States will launch a new initiative on addressing the growing threat posed by homegrown terrorists -- terrorists who aren’t members of organizations like ISIS and al Qa’ida but who are inspired by them. This initiative will explore the factors that drive people to become homegrown terrorists, and how to identify them before they can strike. It also will look at how the radicalization process for homegrown terrorists may differ from that of foreign terrorist fighters. And it will develop a new set of good practices that governments and the private sector can use to address this threat effectively.

The enemy we face is an adaptive one. Terrorists are constantly learning from their failures and probing for new vulnerabilities, so it is incumbent upon us to adapt too. Along with our allies and partners, the United States will continue to lead the way in confronting this threat across the globe.

]]>Throughout the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the United States has engaged with foreign partners to build political support for American counterterrorism objectives and policies.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28351Preventing the Spread of the Most Dangerous Weaponshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/RgL9ylTmEFE/28336Gonzalo SuarezThu, 21 Sep 2017 15:41:55 PDTnode-28336-[delta]

In the past several months, the world has witnessed egregious examples of countries willing to defy treaty obligations or United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions using the most lethal weapons. In April, the Syrian regime used sarin gas on civilians. Earlier this month, North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test. And both Iran and North Korea continue to defy the UN Security Council by testing ballistic missiles.

This week, world leaders have gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. On September 21, the UN Security Council convened a meeting of foreign ministers to discuss the growing threats from the spread of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

The Security Council’s to-do list is long: to improve the capacity of smaller countries to implement their international legal obligations to impose sanctions and adopt effective measures to prevent the spread of WMDs and delivery systems; to restrict the illicit supply of weapons and nuclear-related technologies to non-state actors; to respond to countries that are in regular violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

Despite the daunting nature of this to-do list, inaction is simply not an option. If we are to preserve international security, the Security Council and the international community must act.

UN Security Council resolutions impose legal obligations on certain countries to abandon their efforts to use or obtain weapons of mass destruction. For example, they prohibit Syria from using chemical weapons and bar North Korea from conducting any nuclear tests or launching ballistic missiles. They also require all Member States to take specific steps to counter proliferation, such as implementing sanctions on North Korea. In addition, they require all UN member states to adopt and enforce effective laws that prohibit non-state actors from manufacturing, acquiring, or transferring WMD.

These legal obligations on Member States to implement Security Council resolutions are every bit as vital to international security as those binding the actions of those seeking to obtain or use weapons of mass destruction. Comprehensive implementation of existing resolutions is often the greatest contribution that any Member State can make to the cause of international peace and security. International diplomatic efforts to change the behavior of those who wield weapons of mass destruction hinge on our maintaining a unified front of collective pressure through effective sanctions implementation.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks during a Security Council meeting, September 21, 2017, at United Nations headquarters.

Despite these obligations, countries such as North Korea and Syria openly flout UN Security Council resolutions. Each violation gravely undermines international peace and security. The Security Council must ensure that all UN member states fully support and implement its resolutions. From Pyongyang, to Tehran, to Damascus, all breaches of nonproliferation norms, treaties, and Security Council resolutions must be treated seriously.

We must hold states that violate these resolutions and treaties accountable. A strong, resilient nonproliferation regime is essential to international peace and security.

As the President said in his speech on Tuesday, “If we are to embrace the opportunity of our future and overcome the dangers of the present together, there can be no substitute for strong, sovereign, and independent nations.” As strong, sovereign, and independent nations, the global community must work together, bilaterally, regionally, and globally, to stem the tide of proliferation. It takes sovereign steps to produce global good.

Breaches by state actors also increase the threat from non-state actors. We must be fully aware there are non-state actors who will never conform to international law governing nuclear weapons and other WMD. Terror groups seek glory in violence and death. Their eagerness to commit atrocities makes clear they would commit them on an ever-larger scale if ever given the chance.

We must continue to work to secure WMD technologies and materials, and disrupt proliferation networks so that terrorists cannot access these dangerous capabilities.

Stopping the proliferation of WMD, and controlling related material, equipment, and technology is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State. Nonproliferation issues are always at the top of the agenda for any administration. This is not a field where we can afford to remain passive.

The Security Council can use the tools at its disposal – including sanctions, political pressure, and diplomacy – to give teeth to longstanding international norms against the use and spread of WMD and ballistic missiles. Doing so is an imperative. And we must be prepared for a reinvigorated approach. The status quo is not an option.

]]>In the past several months, the world has witnessed egregious examples of countries willing to defy treaty obligations or United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions using the most lethal weapons. In April, the Syrian regime used sarin gas on civilians.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28336United States Stands with Mexico in the Aftermath of Recent Earthquakeshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/cebVYaIZPK0/28326DipNote BloggersThu, 21 Sep 2017 07:53:05 PDTnode-28326-[delta]

On September 19, 2017 a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Mexico City, the State of Puebla and surrounding areas causing widespread destruction, injuries, and loss of life. As of September 21, there are at least 40 reported collapsed structures, including two schools. Media reports estimate the death toll at 225, but the total is likely to rise given the population density of the affected areas.

U.S. Expresses Condolences and Deploys Disaster Response Team

During a press availability on the margins of the 72nd UN General Assembly Secretary of State Rex Tillerson took a moment to extend condolences to those who have suffered and continue to suffer, from the devastation caused by the natural disasters we have seen around the Western Hemisphere.

Speaking directly to the people of Mexico, Secretary Tillerson affirmed that the United States stands with them in the aftermath of two very bad and massive earthquakes. The Secretary shared, “The President did speak to President Pena Nieto earlier today, expressed his own deep concerns about the situation, also indicated though his immediate deployment of assistance to Mexico City of search and rescue expertise, a team – very large team – of people who are trained for these specific type of circumstances. Immediately he deployed those towards Mexico City with heavy equipment. President Pena Nieto obviously thanked the President for that, said he welcomed and accepted that assistance.”

The search and rescue team President Trump referenced in his conversation with Mexican President Nieto was deployed to Mexico by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on September 20, 2017 in response to urgent humanitarian needs caused by the earthquake. The USAID Disaster Response Team (DART) -- an elite team of disaster experts from USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance and an urban search-and-rescue team from the Los Angeles County Fire Department -- will support the Government of Mexico by conducting damage assessments and coordinating with local authorities and aid groups to bring critical assistance to local people.

Secretary Tillerson noted President Trump assured Mexican President Nieto that there are other ways in which the United States can help and underscored that the United States stands ready to help the Mexican government and people in any way we can. “This, I think, is a real testament to the relationship between the United States and Mexico,” he said.

The Department of State continues to offer support and assistance to U.S. citizens who are affected by these earthquakes. U.S. citizens in the area should monitor local news reports, follow directions from local officials, and contact their loved ones. For U.S. citizens facing emergencies, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City by calling 011-52-55-5080-2000. Please note, when in Mexico, you dial 55-5080-2000.

]]>On September 19, 2017 a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Mexico City, the State of Puebla and surrounding areas causing widespread destruction, injuries, and loss of life. As of September 21, there are at least 40 reported collapsed structures, including two schools.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28326Responding to Hurricane Irmahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/MStMkRFiviU/28311DipNote BloggersWed, 20 Sep 2017 15:00:36 PDTnode-28311-[delta]

Hurricane Irma — the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record — unleashed catastrophic rain, wind, and storm surges across the Caribbean, leaving a trail of devastation from Barbuda to Cuba. Here, USAID shares an inside look at their disaster relief efforts.

USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance officially activated a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) on September 7, 2017 as Hurricane Irma barreled across the Caribbean. USAID had been actively monitoring the storm as it formed in the Atlantic, and members of the DART pre-deployed to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, and The Bahamas ahead of Irma making landfall.

We also activated locally-based disaster specialists living in countries along Irma’s path. This enabled the DART to coordinate with local authorities and humanitarian organizations on the ground before the storm hit and to begin assessing the damage as soon as conditions allowed.

However, just as the DART’s disaster response efforts were getting underway, Mother Nature had other plans. Hurricane Jose was tracking closer to the very same islands that were hit by Irma just a few days before, unleashing heavy rain and wind and bringing relief efforts on some islands to a temporary standstill.

Hurricane Jose veered back out to sea on September 10 without inflicting too much damage, allowing relief operations to quickly resume. By then, the full scope of Hurricane Irma’s devastation was becoming clear. The Category 5 storm had killed dozens of people and left tens of thousands in need of shelter, water, and medical care across the region. In response, the DART re-positioned to the hardest-hit areas, sending teams to Antigua and Barbuda, St. Martin, and The Bahamas.

A cargo plane carrying USAID relief supplies for families affected by Hurricane Irma arrived in The Bahamas on September 14.

The relief supplies — which included emergency shelter materials, blankets, hygiene kits, household items, and water containers — were handed over to national emergency response officials to be distributed to families impacted by Hurricane Irma. A portion of the supplies will also be stockpiled in the Caribbean for future storms.

Meanwhile on the hard-hit island of St. Martin, USAID has been working with the U.S. Department of Defense to airlift relief supplies and personnel and to help restore access to safe drinking water. USAID requested the U.S. military’s unique capabilities to support its humanitarian response after Hurricane Irma destroyed nearly all of St. Martin’s infrastructure. As a result, U.S. Southern Command stood up Joint Task Force-Leeward Islands, and began installing portable water treatment units at strategic locations around the island.

Less than two weeks after Hurricane Irma hit, the Caribbean was bracing for more extreme weather as Hurricane Maria — the fourth major Atlantic hurricane this year — reached the battered region. Maria, which strengthened from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just 24 hours, made landfall over Dominica on September 18.

USAID’s regional Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) remains activated in the Caribbean and is closely coordinating storm preparations and response plans with local authorities and our partners. The DART is preparing for potential disruptions to ongoing relief efforts but will continue its lifesaving operations as long as conditions allow.

Vice President Mike Pence addressed the United Nations (UN) Security Council on September 20, as part of the 72nd UN General Assembly meetings. Focusing his remarks on the theme of “keeping the peace”, Vice President Pence addressed a variety of global security challenges, from peacekeeping reform to threats to international peace around the world to the credibility of the UN Human Rights Council. Here are some highlights from his remarks:

On Peacekeeping Reform

Emphasizing the need for peacekeeping reform, Vice President Pence highlighted the United States’ five principles for peacekeeping reform. He reiterated the United States’ belief that these principles will help to ensure that UN peacekeeping operations are “more efficient, more effective, more accountable, and more credible.”

In his remarks, Vice President Pence addressed several threats to international peace. “In Eastern Europe,” he said, “Russia continues to compromise the sovereignty of its neighbors.” While mentioning continued threats from radical Islamic terrorists, the Vice President also mentioned Iran’s destabilizing role in the Middle East, calling it “the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.”

Vice President Pence also focused on North Korea, thanking the UN Security Council for its recent resolutions imposing new sanctions, but also calling on the United Nations and the Security Council to do “much more to confront the threat posed by North Korea.”

Vice President Pence also raised concerns about the function and operation of the UN Human Rights Council, a body which is overseen by the UN Security Council. Mentioning the membership of “many of the worst human rights violators in the world” including Cuba and Venezuela, Vice President Pence stated, “A clear majority of the Human Rights Council’s members fail to meet even the most basic human rights standards.” He continued, “To keep the peace most effectively, this body must have the credibility to pursue peace by advancing the cause of human rights."

The Vice President concluded his remarks with a call for renewed dedication to the United Nations’ mission.

“So let us rededicate ourselves to the mission upon which this body was founded -- the first words of the U.N. Charter, “to maintain international peace,” must again be our lodestar, our ideal, and our aspiration.

Through reform of our efforts and reform of this institution, through renewed courage to speak and act whenever and wherever the unalienable rights of innocent people, or the peace of the world, is at risk we will create, as our President said, a more safe and peaceful future for all mankind.”

]]>Vice President Mike Pence addressed the UN Security Council on September 20, as part of the 72nd UN General Assembly meetings, focusing his remarks on the theme of “keeping the peace.”http://blogs.state.gov/node/28276Not All Heroes Wear Capes: Assisting American Citizens in Caribbeanhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/B4UDjckPke8/28266Paul MayerWed, 20 Sep 2017 06:00:46 PDTnode-28266-[delta]

Hurricane stories are sad and tragic, and quite honestly, can sometimes seem pretty abstract. Everyone sees the stories on the internet or TV. We pause, we grieve, and then we might make a donation to Red Cross or some other aid organization. Our country’s generosity is remarkable and dependable. But then we move on. Sometimes, though, something happens to make it more real.

For me, it happened when I received an email at 11:08 p.m. Saturday, September 9. A State Department colleague in the Bureau of Consular Affairs asked if I could fly to Puerto Rico to help organize the evacuation of American citizens after Hurricane Irma had smashed through the Caribbean. I said yes—after checking with my wife and daughter first. I’d done similar work following the earthquake in Haiti, but it’s intimidating to jump into a crisis that’s still unfolding. Seven hours later, I was en route to the airport; 13 hours later, I was on the ground at the airport in San Juan meeting teams of U.S. consular officers from our embassies in Barbados and the Dominican Republic. They would soon be joined by officers from our embassies in Kingston and Bogota. We even had French linguists who’d flown in from Montreal. I knew what was going on thanks to a 24-hour task force that had been monitoring the hurricane for several days.

Left: Consular Officers from U.S. Embassy Kingston receive a briefing at the San Juan Airport;

Right: U.S. Consular Officials prepare for evacuation flights to begin.

Under U.S. law, the State Department has very clear guidelines for the aid and assistance we provide American citizens in times of crisis. The Bureau of Consular Affairs is there to support and guide our response. In this crisis, U.S. consular officers spent days flying back and forth in noisy C-130 cargo planes that belonged to the U.S. Air Force and National Guard units from Puerto Rico, New York, and Kentucky. On at least 25 flights, these planes were filled with American citizens who had been through a horrible and frightening experience. We were there to help people on and off the planes, giving them water and food and earplugs. We were there to help get them to safety.

Those we were helping evacuate could see us consular officers on the front lines, but there were even more people working behind the scenes, supporting embassies that staffed the evacuation ‘fly-away’ teams. USAID and social service professionals were there, too. When the C-130 loadmasters were not getting people safely on and off the plane, they were strapping in forklifts, portable desalinization plants, and pallets of food and water.

Mississippi National Guard members load relief supplies into a cargo plane following Hurricane Irma in September 2017.

Communicating was difficult because the islands’ infrastructure had been damaged so severely, but we found workarounds with satellite phones, international texting, and WhatsApp. We never forgot why we were there, or what we were supposed to do. We felt peoples’ anguish and frustration, and then their relief. Even though we could barely talk at the end of the day, we were proud to wake up at 5 o’clock the next morning to go out and do it again.

My fellow consular officers may look like ordinary people, but they are not. Not all heroes wear capes. These were extraordinary people who, like so many of our U.S. government employees, are deeply committed to helping American citizens in distress. These particular heroes left their homes and work, and flew to Puerto Rico to help rescue and evacuate several thousand victims of Hurricane Irma from surrounding islands like Sint Maarten, Tortola, and Anguilla. Nearly everyone we helped said thank you, even when they didn’t have to. For us, it didn’t matter. We were all in this together, doing what needed to be done. And looking back, it's amazing what you can accomplish when you don't care who gets the credit.

]]>A U.S. Consular Officer's first-hand account of helping U.S. citizens in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28266The U.S.-India Relationship and the Road to the Global Entrepreneurship Summithttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/VRw8yWbz2Rk/28256Alice WellsWed, 20 Sep 2017 04:00:27 PDTnode-28256-[delta]

The Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) is an annual entrepreneurship gathering that brings together emerging entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem supporters from across the globe. I find it particularly fitting that the United States is co-hosting GES with India this year. In 2017, we celebrate the 70th Anniversary of India’s independence, as well as 70 years of bilateral relations between the United States and India. Since India’s independence in 1947, Americans and Indians have built upon our shared commitment to democracy and universal values to create powerful bonds between our two peoples.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Indian Ambassador to the United States Navtej Sarna speak backstage at the U.S.-India Business Council Road to GES Entrepreneurship Conclave, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Washington, D.C.

The Global Entrepreneurship Summit is an opportunity to highlight that thriving relationship. As we launch the “Road to GES: U.S. Series” in communities across the country, we aim to share first-hand the best practices of the U.S. start-up ecosystem, as well as the innovation and new perspectives of Indian entrepreneurs that can generate new approaches to 21st century problem sets and contribute to job growth and prosperity in both our countries and around the world. The theme of this year’s GES -- Women First, Prosperity for All -- is recognition of the importance of women entrepreneurs and the role they play in making their communities more prosperous and more secure.

Panelists discuss the power of building communities through private section collaboration during U.S.-India Business Council Road to GES Entrepreneurship Conclave, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Washington, D.C.

The city of Hyderabad, this year’s summit host, is the capital city of the Indian state of Telangana. It’s no coincidence that Telangana was tied for first among Indian states in the most recent World Bank “Ease of Doing Business” report. It’s also home to many major American and international companies as well as T-Hub, India’s largest start-up incubator. As always, the sharing of best practices is a two-way street. GES will also help participating U.S. companies better understand and play a role in India’s new business start-up culture.

Like all our bilateral cooperation, working with India in hosting the GES will reflect our shared values and commitment to creating jobs and rising living standards through innovation as well as open and transparent economic systems. Entrepreneurship also offers solutions to pressing global challenges. When you hear the word “entrepreneur” your mind likely will turn to Silicon Valley and the social media and tech legends like Facebook and Google. But today’s entrepreneurs are also solving pressing problems like access to energy and health care, and bringing the power of the digital revolution to farmers in developing countries. And it’s not just the focus of entrepreneurs that is changing--it’s the entrepreneurs themselves. Solving our most pressing problems, whether local, national or global, is going to take every good idea that we can generate, and that’s why we need to ensure that every budding entrepreneur is nurtured and encouraged to put their energy and vision to work in the marketplace.

U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorti (D-IL) delivers remarks during U.S.-India Business Council Road to GES Entrepreneurship Conclave, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Washington, D.C.

The summit will be a wonderful opportunity to discuss our shared challenges, to find ways to overcome them, and help build that foundation of respect and trust from which our economic relationship can grow.

]]>Like all our bilateral cooperation, working with India in hosting the GES will reflect our shared values and commitment to creating jobs and rising living standards through innovation as well as open and transparent economic systems.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28256President Trump Addresses the United Nations General Assemblyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/sIB2dFWipoU/28261DipNote BloggersTue, 19 Sep 2017 12:42:14 PDTnode-28261-[delta]

U.S. President Donald J. Trump delivered remarks at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City today. Addressing some of the very serious threats the world faces the President began his remarks by outlining growing dangers that threaten our values. “We meet at a time of both of immense promise and great peril. It is entirely up to us whether we lift the world to new heights, or let it fall into a valley of disrepair. We have it in our power, should we so choose, to lift millions from poverty, to help our citizens realize their dreams, and to ensure that new generations of children are raised free from violence, hatred, and fear,” he stated.

The President underscored the importance of global leaders coming together in the interest of all people noting, “All responsible leaders have an obligation to serve their own citizens, and the nation-state remains the best vehicle for elevating the human condition. But making a better life for our people also requires us to work together in close harmony and unity to create a more safe and peaceful future for all people.”

President Trump appealed to all global leaders to fulfill their sovereign duties to the people they represent in order to lift up our citizens. “We must protect our nations, their interests, and their futures. We must reject threats to sovereignty, from the Ukraine to the South China Sea. We must uphold respect for law, respect for borders, and respect for culture, and the peaceful engagement these allow. And just as the founders of this body intended, we must work together and confront together those who threaten us with chaos, turmoil, and terror.”

On North Korea and Iran

The President addressed the need for the global community to come together and address the threat posed by North Korea. “It is time for North Korea to realize that the denuclearization is its only acceptable future,” he said. “The United Nations Security Council recently held two unanimous 15-0 votes adopting hard-hitting resolutions against North Korea, and I want to thank China and Russia for joining the vote to impose sanctions, along with all of the other members of the Security Council. Thank you to all involved. But we must do much more. It is time for all nations to work together to isolate the Kim regime until it ceases its hostile behavior.”

The President also discussed threats posed by the Iranian government noting, “We cannot let a murderous regime continue these destabilizing activities while building dangerous missiles, and we cannot abide by an agreement if it provides cover for the eventual construction of a nuclear program.”

Pivoting to the global fight on terrorism the president said, “We will stop radical Islamic terrorism because we cannot allow it to tear up our nation, and indeed to tear up the entire world.” He continued, “We must deny the terrorists safe haven, transit, funding, and any form of support for their vile and sinister ideology. We must drive them out of our nations. It is time to expose and hold responsible those countries who support and finance terror groups like al Qaeda, Hezbollah, the Taliban and others that slaughter innocent people.”

The President underscored that the United States seeks to de-escalate the Syrian conflict, and wants a political solution that honors the will of the Syrian people. “The actions of the criminal regime of Bashar al-Assad, including the use of chemical weapons against his own citizens -- even innocent children -- shock the conscience of every decent person. No society can be safe if banned chemical weapons are allowed to spread.” President Trump applauded the United Nations agencies providing vital humanitarian assistance in areas liberated from ISIS, as well as nations like Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon for their role in hosting refugees from the Syrian conflict.

The President emphasized the importance of burden sharing at the United Nations. “The American people hope that one day soon the United Nations can be a much more accountable and effective advocate for human dignity and freedom around the world. In the meantime, we believe that no nation should have to bear a disproportionate share of the burden, militarily or financially. Nations of the world must take a greater role in promoting secure and prosperous societies in their own regions.”

As he concluded his remarks, the President reflected on the United States’ historic role as a force for good around the world and as one of the greatest defenders of sovereignty, security, and prosperity for all. President Trump called for a reawakening of nations as we take on the task of addressing our shared challenges.

Calling for unity, the President shared his vision for a “world of proud, independent nations that embrace their duties, seek friendship, respect others, and make common cause in the greatest shared interest of all -- a future of dignity and peace for the people of this wonderful Earth.”

]]>U.S. President Donald J. Trump delivered remarks at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City today. Addressing some of the very serious threats the world faces the President began his remarks by outlining growing dangers that threaten our values.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28261Information for U.S. Citizens Affected by Hurricane Mariahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/1-peR_Thyq8/28241DipNote BloggersTue, 19 Sep 2017 09:43:06 PDTnode-28241-[delta]

**Updated September 20, 2017 at 15:33

Hurricane Maria – currently a strong category four storm – has brought significant rainfall and wind resulting in life-threatening flooding, mudslides, and storm surges across the Caribbean this week. Disruptions to travel and services are occurng throughout the path of the hurricane.

The Department of State has issued an emergency alert warning U.S. citizens to avoid travel to locations that may be impacted by Hurricane Maria. Current hurricane and storm warnings and watches are in effect for Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Saba, St. Eustatius, British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos Islands, and The Bahamas.

U.S. citizens abroad in affected areas should follow the emergency instructions provided by local authorities. Monitor local and regional reports for updates on the situation and for information on emergency preparedness, including the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

U.S. citizens that are unable to depart in advance of Hurricane Maria should make arrangements to shelter in concrete buildings away from the coast and prepare adequate supplies – such as flashlight, radio, batteries, cash, medications, water, and dry foods – in case of disruptions to power, phone and internet, water, credit card and ATM services, and transportation for several days.

To notify the State Department about a U.S. citizen in need of assistance due to Hurricane Maria, visit tfa.state.gov or email MariaEmergencyUSC@state.gov with the full name, gender, and last known location of the individual.

Stay Ready for Hurricane Season

The Atlantic hurricane season continues until November 30, with the peak occurring between mid-August and late October. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season ends November 30. For more information on actions to take when you are affected by a hurricane or for warning alerts and tips on what to do before, during, and after a hurricane go to Ready.gov.

Entrepreneurship is about individuals improving their lives and the lives of those in their communities through good ideas, hard work, and a little bit of luck. Their success often creates jobs, brings new products and services to market, as well as gives people a stake in seeing their local communities thrive. The Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) has served as a platform, annually, to highlight the best practices of the U.S. start-up ecosystem as well as showcase the innovation and fresh perspectives needed to generate new approaches to 21st century problems. The summit has also been a useful tool for providing investments and other support that has contributed to job growth and prosperity globally.

If you ask any previous delegate or attendee they will tell you, attending GES is a unique opportunity. Through targeted skills training, mentorship, master classes, industry meetings, networking, and pitch competitions entrepreneurs and investors alike have made a positive impact resonating far beyond the two days in November. GES 2017 in Hyderabad, India this fall, will highlight the accomplishments and contributions of female entrepreneurs and thought-leaders who have demonstrated an interest in or ability to drive innovation in four industries: energy and infrastructure, healthcare and life sciences, the digital economy and financial technology, as well as media and entertainment.

Building on the success of last year’s summit in Silicon Valley, at GES 2017 we hope to continue to foster an environment that supports the development and success of U.S. entrepreneurs. With that in mind, here are five reasons why entrepreneurs in the United States should apply for an invitation to attend #GES2017:

1. GES provides a multitude of opportunities to grow your business. From panels sharing best practices, workshops which offer solutions to common startup challenges, one-on-one meetings with investors, or an opportunity to join the pitch competition -- everyone from early-stage startups to companies looking to scale up and break into new markets stand to gain from participating in GES.

2. GES expands your network. You’ll have direct access to investors, mentors, and a community of diverse entrepreneurs who are looking to partner with you. Connect with a global audience instantly and make connections that will last well beyond your time in Hyderabad!

3. Gain in-depth insight and explore opportunities into the four innovative, high-growth industries featured at GES 2017 – energy and infrastructure, healthcare and life sciences, the digital economy and financial technology, as well as media and entertainment. GES 2017 will convene entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem supporters together for two days of high-impact education, demonstrations and experiences focused exclusively on these four areas.

4. Join the growing global community of GES participants! GES alumni are a tight-knit group of diverse leaders and innovators working to advance their communities and create jobs all over the world. Surrounding GES, participants foster dialogues, organize events and meetups, support one another, and build lifelong friendships using a series of online tools to communicate and support one another. Why not join them?!

5. Hyderabad, this year’s summit host, is the capital city of the state of Telangana and home to many major American and international companies. It is also home to T-Hub, India’s largest start-up incubator. GES 2017 will help participating U.S. companies better understand India’s new business start-up culture.

Solving our most pressing problems, whether local, national or global, is going to take every good idea that we can generate. That’s why we need to ensure that budding entrepreneurs are nurtured and encouraged to put their energy and vision to work collectively. Will you join us?

U.S. entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for an invitation to attend GES 2017 at: https://gesus2017.startupcompete.co/. The deadline for applications for U.S. entrepreneurs is Sunday, September 24, 2017.

]]>Entrepreneurship is about individuals improving their lives and the lives of those in their communities through good ideas, hard work, and a little bit of luck.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28236President Trump Calls for United Nations Reform at 72nd Session of the UN General Assemblyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/caVXAWqC_l0/28231DipNote BloggersMon, 18 Sep 2017 13:55:27 PDTnode-28231-[delta]

President Donald J. Trump is leading the United States’ delegation to the 72nd United Nations General Assembly in New York City this week, where he will participate in approximately 20 meetings with world leaders and other events. In addition to the President’s engagement, Administration staff and State Department officials will attend dozens of bilateral and multilateral meetings.

On September 18, 2017 -- the first day of “high-level week” -- President Trump delivered remarks at the Reforming the United Nations: Management, Security, and Development Meeting. Flanked by United Nations Secretary General António Guterres and United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, the President underscored the need for international cooperation on United Nations reform.

The President noted that while the United Nations has played a critical role in advancing international goals -- such as feeding the hungry, providing disaster relief, and empowering women and girls in many societies all across the world -- the global body has not reached its full potential because of bureaucracy and mismanagement. President Trump noted, “While the United Nations on a regular budget has increased by 140 percent, and its staff has more than doubled since 2000, we are not seeing the results in line with this investment.” The President looked toward the future with optimism noting Secretary General Guterres, this dynamic is changing quickly.

President Trump commended the Secretary General's call for the United Nations to focus "more on people and less on bureaucracy." The President emphasized the need for greater accountability, equal distribution of military and financial burdens, and clearly-defined goals for peacekeeping missions. He encouraged Member States to participate in UN proceedings with "an eye toward changing business as usual and not being beholden to ways of the past which were not working."

The President underscored the United States’ support for this vision of United Nations reform. As he concluded his remarks, President Trump affirmed, “We pledge to be partners in your work, and I am confident that if we work together and champion truly bold reforms, the United Nations will emerge as a stronger, more effective, more just, and greater force for peace and harmony in the world.”

]]>On day one of "high-level week" at UNGA 72 President Trump delivered remarks on United Nations Reform at the UN headquarters in New York City.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28231International Exchange Students Lend a Hand During Hurricane Relief Effortshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/5fWJFpSjBuo/28226Becca BycottMon, 18 Sep 2017 06:07:39 PDTnode-28226-[delta]

Imagine you’re visiting the United States for the first time, only just beginning to familiarize yourself with the people, the places and general surroundings. Suddenly, you’re inundated with news about a hurricane that will affect entire areas of the country, especially areas where you’re staying. What do you do?

Many of the international students and other participants on exchange programs with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs begin their exchanges by experiencing one of America’s most important values: helping out others in times of need … and, in this case, just a few days after arriving.

After enduring several days of flooded streets, participants in the Community College Initiative Program attending Houston Community College went to local shelters to help American community members in need.

International participants in the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study program (YES), the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX), the International Visitor Leadership Program, the Community College Initiative, the Youth Ambassadors (YA) program, and other exchanges worked side by side with other volunteers to give back and show support for Americans displaced by recent hurricane damage.

They purchased, packed and distributed supplies, gathering clothing, food, cooking utensils, hygiene supplies and toys for children and taking them to FEMA campgrounds. They spent time at local shelters and churches hearing the stories of displaced families. They held bake sales to raise funds to support hurricane relief. They even gathered food for local animal rescue organizations to help pets affected by the storms.

Volunteerism is a key part of the exchange experience, whether it is foreign exchange participants giving back to their U.S. host communities or Americans studying abroad teaching English at schools and helping local NGOs in their host countries:

Each year, participants in the YES Program, FLEX and the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) perform more than 125,000 hours of community service. As a part of celebrating Global Youth Service Day this year, YES students in the U.S. alone volunteered more than 5,500 hours in 47 host states throughout the US.

Fourteen Community College Initiative cohorts at host colleges in eleven U.S. states together contributed over 29,000 hours of volunteer service last year.

Faysal, a YES student from Lebanon and Zlata, a FLEX Program participant from Ukraine, volunteered at a local church helping displaced Texans.

And these are just a few examples. Exchange participants have cleaned beaches, taught American schoolchildren more about their home countries and cultures, volunteered at food banks for the homeless, served in soup kitchens, raised funds for charities, and completed countless other acts of service.

Perhaps the most powerful result of these experiences is that they often lead to new friendships and shared compassion among people who otherwise might not have met one another. These participants are not only sharing their own culture, they are taking back to their home countries a new enthusiasm for the American spirit.

]]>Imagine you’re visiting the United States for the first time, only just beginning to familiarize yourself with the people, the places and general surroundings.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28226My GES Experience and What You Should Know if You’re Attending #GES2017http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/MkTFFBjujOo/28216DipNote BloggersFri, 15 Sep 2017 11:17:44 PDTnode-28216-[delta]

ElsaMarie D’Silva is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Safecity, a platform that crowdsources sexual harassment in public spaces. She attended GES 2016 in Silicon Valley, which helped her make the connections that facilitated the launch of her mobile app and introduced her to business leaders who mentored her. She is also a State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Fortune/U.S. State Department Global Women's Mentoring Partnership exchange program alumna. In this blog, Elsa writes about her experience at GES 2016 and gives several tips she thinks this year's delegates should know.

As the Founder and CEO of Safecity, which works to address sexual violence in public spaces, I know first-hand that the journey of an entrepreneur is both challenging and interesting. Sometimes you are lucky to receive opportunities that are life changing – you just may not know it at the time. Last year, I was fortunate to be selected to attend two of the United States’ prestigious programs -- The Fortune/U.S. State Department Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership and the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES).

The Fortune Program gave me an opportunity to be mentored by Ms. Sandi Peterson (Group World Wide Chair), Ms. Lauren Moore, and Ms. Michelle Goodridge from Johnson & Johnson, as well as connected me to my amazing cohort -- a group of 12 enterprising women from around the world. My biggest lesson from the program was that no matter how successful you are, do not forget to “pay it forward.” The program also reaffirmed for me that it’s always good to reach down and lend a helping hand to the next person behind you, preferably a woman. Finally, it emboldened me and encouraged me never to be afraid to reach for the stars. My couple of weeks at Johnson & Johnson honed in on the fact that a Founder must be able to articulate his/her vision so clearly that it will stand the test of time, have buy in from employees, and serve as a guiding light for the management team through good times and bad. My cohort and I met many amazing role models - women in government, business, and entrepreneurs. Their words of wisdom still inspire me.

As if this experience was not heady enough, I was immediately invited to attend the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit at Stanford University. I was excited because I was part of the Women and Youth track, which meant we had an extra day of activities specially designed for us. The lead-up to GES was exciting. I was invited to write a blog, post a snap on SnapChat (my first time on the platform), and connect with my peers on WhatsApp and Facebook. By the time I landed in Silicon Valley, I felt I already knew quite a few people.

I was in for a surprise though. At the opening ceremony, my story was mentioned in the keynote address. It was totally unreal and I had to pinch myself; it was a great validation of my work at Safecity. I was invited to a Design Thinking session next, again chaired by important women business leaders, where I learned essential skills on designing interventions from the users’ perspective.

Finally, the highlight of my GES experience was being invited to a private roundtable discussion with the Secretary of Commerce. It was at Encina Hall and I got there early. It was there that I met Mr. Antonio Gracias -- Founder, Managing Partner, and Chief Investment Officer of Valor -- who seemed quite interested in my work.

Elsa poses with her mentors and Safecity investors Antonio Gracias and Brad Sheftel

When he realized I was looking for funding for my mobile app, he offered the money without any hesitation. I could not believe it, especially because prior to this meeting I had not met or heard of him. Subsequent to the meeting he introduced me to his colleague Brad Sheftel who worked with me for more than eight months and now I am very happy to share that our Mobile App is being launched for both androids and iPhones later this month. This would not have been possible without GES.

Following my excellent experience at last year’s summit, I would like to share a few tips to ensure this year’s entrepreneurs have a meaningful and successful time at GES 2017:

First of all, attend the event with an open mind. You are going to meet amazing people, and you will hear about many new innovations and inspiring stories. Soak it all in.

Try to connect with as many people prior to arriving at GES 2017 in Hyderabad. It is easy over social media and it will facilitate your networking whilst on the ground. You will also make many new friends from different parts of the world. My fellow GES 2016 delegates and I are still active on our GES group, constantly motivating and cheering each other on. We are friends for life.

Share your experiences on social media by using the #GES2017 hashtag. You never know who might be reading the posts. They may want to get in touch with you. The opportunities that can arise from sharing your story on social media can be surprising.

Treat everyone with respect because you never know who they might be. Just think of how I met Antonio Gracias without really knowing who he was and how our conversation resulted in the Safecity Mobile App becoming a reality.

Finally, don't forget that your local United States Embassy or Consulate is a great resource for you. They offer programming and support year-round.

]]>A female entrepreneur from India writes about her experience at GES 2016 and shares several tips she thinks this year's delegates should know.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28216This Week at State: September 15, 2017http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/aR8bnDuPQk0/28221DipNote BloggersFri, 15 Sep 2017 10:32:01 PDTnode-28221-[delta]

Did you miss key foreign policy developments this week? We’ve got you covered. Each week, DipNote recaps the latest U.S. Department of State highlights spanning a wide range of global issues, events, and initiatives in one blog post.

Government Representatives at the Ninth Community of Democracies Ministerial held on September 15, 2017 at the U.S. Department of State.

Secretary Tillerson Hosts Community of Democracies Ministerial

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hosted the Ninth Community of Democracies Governing Ministerial at the Department of State on September 15. In his opening remarks, Secretary Tillerson highlighted the importance of the event at a time when “democratic nations and peoples are under threat.”

Secretary Tillerson: Democracy is the form of governance that produces peace, stability, and prosperity at home and abroad. #CoD9pic.twitter.com/YZPMWUwyAH

While mentioning challenges to democracy from North Korea, Iran, Venezuela and Russia, Secretary Tillerson emphasized, “At a time of growing efforts to undermine democracy, it is all the more critical that we work together to bolster and promote this form of governance. So despite the challenges of our day, now is not the time to step back from our democratic commitments. Now is the time to strengthen and sustain them.”

United States Reacts to North Korea Missile Launch; Supports ‘Strongest Sanctions Ever Imposed’ on North Korea

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson released a press statement on September 14 following North Korea’s missile launch, calling the launch a provocation that “only deepens North Korea's diplomatic and economic isolation.” Secretary Tillerson called on all nations to take new measures against the Kim regime. He added, “China supplies North Korea with most of its oil. Russia is the largest employer of North Korean forced labor. China and Russia must indicate their intolerance for these reckless missile launches by taking direct actions of their own."

During a press availability following meetings in London on September 14, Secretary Tillerson emphasized the need to “send a very strong message to North Korea and the regime in North Korea that their efforts to advance their nuclear weapons programs and the threatening posture that they have taken is not acceptable to any member of the international community.”

In remarks following the United Nations Security Council’s unanimous adoption of Resolution 2375 which strengthens sanctions on North Korea, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley spoke about the importance of the new sanctions, calling them the “deepest cutting sanctions ever leveled against North Korea,” and resulting in the ban of over 90 percent of North Korea’s publicly reported exports.

On September 12, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton testified before the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs, where she outlined the Department of State’s North Korea strategy.

State Department and USAID Respond to Hurricane Irma

During the Department’s Press Briefing on September 12, Spokesperson Heather Nauert outlined the United States Government’s response to the damage caused by Hurricanes Irma and Jose in the Caribbean. Spokesperson Nauert highlighted USAID’s disaster response in St. Maarten, Antigua and Barbuda, and the Bahamas. She also noted "since September 8, more than 2,000 individuals have been evacuated from Sint Maarten, including more than 300 people evacuated by Royal Caribbean cruise line and 1,700 by U.S. military air transport.”

During a press availability on September 15 following meetings in London, Secretary Tillerson highlighted the “extraordinary” American, British and French cooperation in response to Hurricane Irma.

U.S. citizens who are overseas and in need of assistance in areas affected by Hurricane Irma should consult the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Hurricanes Irma and Jose page.

Secretary Tillerson Travels to London for Meetings on Libya and North Korea

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson traveled to London to participate in U.K.-hosted meetings on Libya and North Korea. During a press availability following the meetings, Secretary Tillerson stressed the United States’ goal is to find a way forward in Libya that creates stability and reconciliation, and that restores Libya under a functioning government.

“We are all committed to helping the Libyans find the Libyan solution that will lead to their future.”

– Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

United States Awards $25 Million to the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery

On September 14, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced a groundbreaking $25 million award to the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, a nonprofit § 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to create a public-private partnership to expand resources and develop strategies to reduce the prevalence of modern slavery – also known as human trafficking.

In a statement released on September 11, Secretary Tillerson remembered the victims of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, as well as the heroes who saved many lives that day. He also mentioned the victims of the Benghazi, Libya terror attack which included two State Department colleagues.

“Our hearts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones to terrorism. We remain committed to stopping those extremists who plot, enable, and carry out attacks on the innocent.”

On September 14, Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan and Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Acting CEO Jonathan Nash welcomed Nepali Minister of Finance Gyanendra Bahadur Karki to the U.S. Department of State for the signing of a new $500 million MCC compact with Nepal. The compact will tackle two of Nepal’s greatest constraints to economic growth: low energy supply and high transportation costs. In his remarks, Deputy Secretary Sullivan called the signing “an important milestone” as “MCC’s first compact in South Asia.” He also highlighted the Government of Nepal’s $130 million contribution to the compact, calling it “a real testament to Nepal’s commitment to this partnership.”

During a press availability following meetings in London on September 14, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke on the humanitarian crisis in Burma.

“It is important that the global community speak out in support of what we all know the expectation is towards the treatment of people, regardless of their ethnicity, and that we must – this violence must stop; this persecution must stop. It’s been characterized by many as ethnic cleansing. That must stop.”

- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

In a special briefing on September 8, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma Patrick Murphy addressed the situation in the Rakhine State of Burma. Deputy Assistant Secretary Murphy emphasized the importance of restoring humanitarian assistance and urged “all parties to take steps to calm tensions.” He also highlighted the ongoing conversations with the Government of Burma and with neighboring states.

Department of State Spokesperson Heather Nauert followed with a press statement on September 9 expressing the United States’ concern regarding the United Nations September 8 announcement that an estimated 270,000 Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh since August 25. Spokesperson Nauert emphasized the United States’ close coordination with international partners to provide emergency assistance and applauded the government of Bangladesh’s generosity in responding to this humanitarian crisis.

Department of State Releases 2017 Fiscal Transparency Report

The Department of State released its 2017 Fiscal Transparency Report on September 12. In the report, the Department concluded that 73 of 141 governments reviewed met minimum requirements of fiscal transparency. The report identified eleven governments found not to meet minimum requirements, but which had made significant progress toward meeting minimum requirements. The report also emphasized the importance of fiscal transparency. Read about four common myths regarding fiscal transparency in this DipNote entry.

United States Previews U.S. Engagement at the United Nations General Assembly

Next week, leaders from around the world will gather in New York City for the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) high-level week. The United States has five overarching priorities for our engagement at UNGA this year. As Spokesperson Nauert outlined, “The first is taking bold steps on UN reform; the second, broadening multilateral and counterterrorism efforts to defeat ISIS and other terror organizations; humanitarian assistance, in particular for refugees and the communities that host them; de-escalating the Syrian conflict; and finally, addressing the threat to global peace and security posed by North Korea.”

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson travelled to London on September 14 for a series of meetings hosted by United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson. In addition to bilateral meetings, Secretaries Tillerson and Johnson were joined by French Government representatives for tri-lateral meetings on Hurricane Irma and North Korea. Secretary Tillerson also participated in a meeting on Libya where the U.S., U.K., and France were also joined by representatives from the governments of Italy, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the United Nations.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and French Representatives during a meeting in London on September 14, 2017.

On the Joint Response to Hurricane Irma

Secretary Tillerson thanked the United Kingdom for its kind words in the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. He stressed that the cooperation between the U.S., U.K., and France in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma has been extraordinary.

"I think all of us set down our own concerns and said what can we do to help each other’s citizens, and we are very thankful for that."

- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

Secretary Tillerson added that the U.S., U.K., and France are committed to taking that spirit of cooperation into the coordination of the recovery and long process of reconstruction in a way that is beneficial to everyone.

On North Korea

Secretary Tillerson thanked the U.K. for its role in the United Nations Security Council and in its public messaging toward North Korea. He emphasized that together we “send a very strong message to North Korea and the regime in North Korea that their efforts to advance their nuclear weapons programs and the threatening posture that they have taken is not acceptable to any member of the international community.”

Secretary Tillerson also stated that the U.S., U.K., and France discussed how to increase the diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea and relay the message to the North Korean regime that “you need to stand down your program and engage in a dialogue to find a way to a peaceful resolution.”

Government representatives from the United Arab Emirates, Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, Egypt, and France attend a meeting in London on September 14, 2017.

On Libya

Secretary Tillerson highlighted the productive discussions with his British, French, Italian, Emirati, and Egyptian colleagues on Libya. He stressed the United States goal is to find a way forward in Libya that creates stability and reconciliation, and that restores Libya under a functioning government.

Secretary Tillerson said that the United Nations Special Representative Ghassan Salame’s efforts to advance political reconciliation in Libya have the full support of the United States. He added, “We are all committed to helping the Libyans find the Libyan solution that will lead to their future.”

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and UK Prime Minister Theresa May during a meeting in London on September 14, 2017.

On the U.S.-U.K. Relationship

Following meetings with both British Prime Minister Theresa May and Foreign Secretary Johnson, Secretary Tillerson characterized the U.S.-U.K. relationship as “a special relationship,” grounded in a “commitment to action in the achievement of our common goals.” He emphasized areas of mutual interest from North Korea to addressing the threat of Iran in the Middle East. He also highlighted the U.S. and U.K.’s shared interest in finding a solution to the conflict in Syria once the defeat of ISIS is concluded.

Secretary Tillerson welcomed the opportunity to work closely with counterparts in the U.K. adding, “Please know that you have a steadfast ally in the United States, and we will stand by our ally as Brexit continues to take shape. And we look forward to continuing this long relationship.”

]]>Key highlights from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's trip to London on September 14, 2017.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28206Saving the Ozone Layer - Celebrating 30 Years of the Montreal Protocolhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/qVoh6dN2s8A/28201Judith GarberThu, 14 Sep 2017 10:45:30 PDTnode-28201-[delta]

In 1985, NASA scientists confirmed that the world was in serious trouble. In May 1985, the British Antarctic Survey showed that the level of atmospheric ozone over Antarctica’s Halley Bay was dropping precipitously. In parallel, NASA scientists analyzing the first ozone images observed an “ozone hole” the size of the United States over Antarctica. This hole resulted in large increases of damaging ultraviolet radiation at the Earth’s surface, with potentially devastating consequences for human health.

Spurred on by the scientific evidence of ozone depletion, nations from around the globe, along with civil society, academics and industry, gathered to negotiate a solution. On September 16, 1987, these nations adopted the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Their actions then are protecting us now from the devastating effects of ultraviolet radiation.

Under the Reagan administration, the United States played a strong leadership role in getting the Montreal Protocol adopted in 1987. Thanks in large part to U.S. encouragement to other countries, the Montreal Protocol became the first global environmental regime with universal ratification, with every country on the planet agreeing to do the hard work to reduce or eliminate reliance on ozone depleting substances (ODS).

The benefits of the Montreal Protocol have been momentous. Countries have successfully phased out over two million tons of ODS since 1987. Scientists have confirmed that the hole in the ozone layer is starting to close. The global savings from the public health benefits of the agreement are estimated to be over one trillion dollars since its inception. In the United States alone, the Protocol has helped avoid approximately 280 million cases of skin cancer, 1.6 million skin cancer deaths, and more than 45 million cases of cataracts.

Just as important, the Montreal Protocol has been a boon to the American economy. It enabled U.S. industry and businesses to lead the development of cutting-edge innovations, including next-generation refrigerants, insulating foams, aerosols, and fire suppressants. It not only protects our health, it also shapes the global markets for refrigerants and related products, where U.S. companies are market leaders, with annual output of over $150 billion, accounting for $32 billion in payroll for over 700,000 U.S. jobs.

Today, 30 years after its adoption, it is fitting to remember President Ronald Reagan’s words in describing the significance of the Montreal Protocol:

“It provides for internationally coordinated control of ozone-depleting substances in order to protect a vital global resource. It creates incentives for new technologies – chemical producers are already working to develop and market safer substitutes – and establishes an ongoing process for review of new scientific data and of technical and economic developments. The protocol is the result of an extraordinary process of scientific study, negotiations among representatives of the business and environmental communities, and international diplomacy. It is a monumental achievement.”

In November, all the countries of the world will gather at the Meeting of the Parties, aptly scheduled to be held in Montreal, to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol. Together, we will continue to work to protect our health and the health of our planet into the future.

]]>Thirty years ago -- spurred on by the scientific evidence of ozone depletion -- &nbsp;nations from around the globe gathered to negotiate a solution.&nbsp;http://blogs.state.gov/node/28201Standing Up for Democracy: The 2017 Community of Democracies Ministerialhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/9WqTuNP9h1Q/28186Virginia BennettThu, 14 Sep 2017 07:37:07 PDTnode-28186-[delta]

On September 15th, the International Day of Democracy, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will host the Community of Democracies (CoD) Governing Council Ministerial meeting in Washington D.C. The Secretary has invited the foreign ministers of the 30 Governing Council member countries. Representatives of other CoD members, youth, and members of civil society and the private sector will also join the full-day event at the State Department. As the host, we are pleased to highlight our goals for this important meeting.

The United States and Poland founded the Community of Democracies in June 2000 as a vehicle to sustain and strengthen democratic values. At the first meeting, members produced the Warsaw Declaration, which articulates a shared commitment to the promotion and protection of democratic values and emphasizes the interconnectedness of peace, development, human rights, and democracy. Today, the CoD continues to bring together governments, civil society, and others working to advance democracy globally.

This year’s Ministerial is the culmination of the U.S. Presidency of the CoD. During our presidency, we have urged governments to work together on protecting and promoting the role of civil society in the democratic process. We have also highlighted the vital role democracy plays in fostering long term security, including in addressing terrorism, and economic development.

The United States believes that governments with strong democratic institutions that respect the fundamental rights of their citizens are more stable and secure. Democracy allows a country to unleash the full potential of its citizens and benefit from the unrestricted exchange of ideas and beliefs.

“Our mission is at all times guided by our longstanding values of freedom, democracy, individual liberty, and human dignity…. As a nation, we hold high the aspiration that all will one day experience the freedoms we have known.”

- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

In hosting this Ministerial, we affirm that standing up for human rights and democracy is a moral imperative and is both in the best traditions of our country and vital to our national interests. We will continue to work with members of civil society and our partners worldwide to strengthen democratic governance, promote the rule of law, and defend individual liberty for all.

On September 12, the U.S. Department of State released the 2017 Fiscal Transparency Report. This report reviews 141 governments worldwide and assesses whether those governments have made complete and reliable budget information widely and easily accessible to their citizens. While budget documents may not seem like a sensational topic, they are a critical part of a functioning democracy. When governments embrace fiscal transparency, they foster greater public engagement and encourage discussion on budget matters by bringing ordinary citizens into the process. Fiscal transparency also helps strengthen the effectiveness of U.S. overseas development programs.

This is the sixth year that the Department of State has produced an annual report dedicated to fiscal transparency, and we have noticed four trends that defy common perceptions. With the release of this report, we’d like to push back against these myths:

A government doesn’t need to be rich to be open and honest with its citizens about how it raises and spends money. In fact, of the 73 countries that met the minimum requirements, only 20 are ranked as high-income. The rest are either low-income or middle-income. This shows that a country’s income is not a determining factor in its ability to meet the minimum requirements of fiscal transparency.

Sometimes all that is needed for a country to elevate its status to meet the minimum requirements of fiscal transparency is a series of small steps, such as making budget documents publicly available or producing more detailed budget documents. Afghanistan was able to meet the minimum requirements in 2016 and 2017 by focusing on producing more detailed information in its existing budget documents and publishing the audits of its financial statements. These adjustments, on top of existing government commitments to transparency, helped Afghanistan meet the minimum requirements of fiscal transparency for two years in a row. Afghanistan is now poised to tackle even more complex budgetary challenges. Using technical assistance provided by USAID, the government is focused on strengthening its statistical data to improve the effectiveness of its public financial management, which in turn will provide to the Afghan people a far more accurate assessment of the government’s budget.

Myth 3: A country that fails to meet the minimum requirements has NO fiscal transparency → FALSE

Many countries that fail to meet the minimum requirements are actually doing quite well in certain areas, and simply fall below the mark in other areas. With the help of the U.S. Fiscal Transparency Innovation Fund (FTIF), Haiti’s civil society created documentary films explaining the budgetary process and the importance of increasing government transparency and accountability in financial management. The fund also helped create an online government budget portal visited by hundreds of Haitian citizens each month. These efforts proved invaluable in educating citizens on how to hold their government accountable for its spending.

Myth 4: Once a government meets the minimum requirements, there is no more work to be done on fiscal transparency → FALSE

Togo is one of eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa with the distinction of consistently meeting the minimum standards of fiscal transparency in our annual report. Nonetheless, it understands that meeting the minimum standards is just a starting point. Last year, thousands of Togolese citizens held their government accountable for missing funds from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament. Because of a baseline standard of fiscal transparency, citizens were aware of the missing funds. The Government of Togo then released an independently audited account of the funds and publicly acknowledged that it can and must do better in managing Togo’s money. By keeping its budgetary process transparent, the Togolese government has empowered its citizens to keep their government accountable.

Fiscal transparency can play a role in establishing healthy dialogue between a government and its citizens. Despite what many think, it is also an achievable goal that 1) can be reached by any country, regardless of its income, 2) can usually be met through a series of small, strategic changes in policy, 3) can be met in part, even when countries do not fully meet the minimum requirements, and 4) requires continued government effort and focus, even after minimum standards have been met.

]]>As the U.S. Department of State releases its 2017 Fiscal Transparency Report, we address four common myths about fiscal transparency.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28166Uniting the World’s Most Promising Entrepreneurs Puts Women First and Advances Economic Prosperity for Allhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/qYa9jZcOJAI/28176Lisa DyerTue, 12 Sep 2017 09:11:57 PDTnode-28176-[delta]

As summer turns to fall, we grow more and more excited to co-host the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) with the Republic of India November 28-30. Announced during Prime Minister Modi’s June 2017 visit to the White House, the summit presents an invaluable opportunity to advance global economic prosperity. Hyderabad -- one of India’s most vibrant and innovative cities -- is the perfect backdrop for convening entrepreneurs and investors from around the world seeking opportunities to take advantage of emerging trends, resolve persisting challenges, and spur innovation into action.

It is clear the best ideas can come from anyone, anywhere around the globe. This Summit proves that by providing the platform for these ideas to unite under the shared visions of solving 21st century challenges and fostering global economic growth. Harnessing this creative potential is why our focus on, celebrating “Women First, Prosperity for All” -- the theme of this year’s summit – is so important. To demonstrate the important role women can play when included in the global economy, GES 2017 will highlight the accomplishments and contributions of women entrepreneurs and investors driving innovation in four industries: energy and infrastructure, healthcare and life sciences, the digital economy and financial technology, as well as media and entertainment.

Delegates work together during a breakout session on Day 1 of GES 2016.

Building on the success of GES 2016 in Silicon Valley, we will feature ecosystem supporters, startup facilitators, and thought-leaders actively engaged in and supporting the development and success of entrepreneurs. Our Silicon Valley summit convened more than 1200 entrepreneurs and investors, offering targeted skills training, mentorship, industry meetings, networking, and pitch competitions. In fact, last year’s Pitch competition winners left California with hundreds of thousands of dollars in new capital, and more than a billion dollars in new investments were announced. Here is a snapshot of real-world outcomes generated by past Global Entrepreneurship Summits:

Endeavor, an organization that supports entrepreneurs around the world, launched a $100 million co-investment fund—Endeavor Catalyst II—to invest in high-growth companies across Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Endeavor Catalyst II is a commitment by Endeavor and private sector leaders to support projects across the globe over the next four years. To date the fund has $30 million in pre-commitments.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced new investments totaling more than $38 million that helped mobilize the power of global entrepreneurs and innovators in the fight to end extreme poverty.

Each of the nearly 5000 entrepreneurs who applied to attend GES 2016 was invited to join USAID’s Global Innovation Exchange, a free online marketplace for entrepreneurs, investors, and experts to connect and share insights and resources.

This year’s Summit will feature a wide range of workshops, panels, master classes, pitch competitions, and networking sessions aimed at giving participants tailored opportunities to gain skills and develop relationships that will help their ventures grow in the global marketplace.

Uniting some of the world’s most prominent and promising entrepreneurs and investors in one place, GES is one of the most visible symbols of global entrepreneurship. We look forward to this opportunity to both celebrate and further support the critically important role women play in entrepreneurship and innovation.

]]>To demonstrate the important role women can play when included in the global economy, GES 2017 will highlight the accomplishments and contributions of women entrepreneurs and investors driving innovation.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28176Support and Solidarity: Remembering 9/11 Around the Worldhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/ZZ9Khu21hSQ/28161DipNote BloggersMon, 11 Sep 2017 06:54:09 PDTnode-28161-[delta]

In the days following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States saw an outpouring of support, generosity, and empathy from every corner of the globe. Today, as many Americans take time to remember the tragic events and the 2,996 lives lost 16 years ago, we look at three stories of communities around the world that continue to demonstrate that same support and solidarity for both the victims and the first responders.

Spontaneous Condolences: The Hague, Netherlands

In the days following the events of September 11, 2001, the U.S. Embassy in the Netherlands saw an outpouring of support from the Dutch public. “It was unprecedented,” said Jos Van Tegelen, the webmaster who has worked for the Embassy for nearly 25 years. “Dutch people sent drawings, letters, cards. People brought flowers, gifts, and communities signed condolence books.” Van Tegelen tells of how then Queen Beatrix’s Royal Carriage stopped for a moment on the street outside the Chancery during the annual Prinsjesdag procession to show respect. The entire Dutch Cabinet walked over to the Embassy to lay flowers and stand together for a moment of silence. “People wanted to express their emotions. Children had such an urge to express what they saw,” he added.

All of the cards, condolence books, stuffed toys, paintings, construction paper animals, and letters have been kept. Now, as the staff of U.S. Embassy The Hague prepares to move to a new embassy campus, they also prepare to find a home for this archive. The staff has reached out to the U.S. Diplomacy Center and other archives connected with September 11th. “Our goal is to make sure that these sentiments are preserved,” said Sherry Keneson-Hall, Public Affairs Officer at U.S. Embassy The Hague. “That is also why we launched a Twitter and Instagram campaign this year to highlight these condolences."

Paper tulips of condolence left at the U.S. Embassy in the Netherlands by local school children.

Each day during the week leading to the 9/11 anniversary, the Embassy shared a photograph. “I was so moved by these cards, poems, drawings, and such that I thought we should share these. Some of the students who made these items could now have their own children. I think they might be surprised that we kept them. It is important to me that they know we cared and we still do.”

To see more activities from U.S. Embassy The Hague, follow them on Twitter or Facebook.

A Formal, Majestic Memorial: Padua, Italy

Padua, Italy, a medium-sized city not far from Venice, may seem like an unlikely location for a memorial to the victims of the 9/11 attacks. But nestled amongst traditional Italian masterpieces like the Cappella degli Scrovegni, there is no doubt that American architect Daniel Libeskind’s Memoria e Luce (Memory and Light) belongs here.

A view of the Memoria e Luce memorial during the 2017 September 11th Commemoration Ceremony.

Covering an area of 2,500 square feet, with a height of 56 feet, Memoria e Luce is one of the world’s most formal and majestic memorial tributes to the September 11th tragedy. Designed to resemble an open book—the ‘Book of History’—the monument’s most prominent feature is a recovered piece of steel from South Tower of the World Trade Center that still shows its original construction number. This 19.6-foot-long I-beam was first shown at the American Pavilion during the 2002 Venice Biennale. The U.S. Department of State later donated the structural fragment to Italy’s Veneto Region which, in turn, gave it to one of the region’s most prominent communities, the City of Padua.

Every year since the completion of the memorial in 2005, the City of Padua has held a commemoration ceremony for the victims of September 11th attacks. Representatives from the U.S. Consulate in Milan also attend. In remarks at this year’s ceremony, Public Affairs Officer Kim Natoli highlighted the importance of this shared memorial: “September 11 struck all of humanity. On that terrible day, more than 2,600 Americans and nearly 400 people from 90 different nationalities lost their lives. Together, as allies, we look toward the future and confirm our commitment to share our strengths and ideas to make the world a better place.”

To read more about the Memoria e Luce memorial, click here. To see more activities from U.S. Consulate Milan, follow them on Twitter or Facebook.

Officers of the Kosovo Police participate in a September 11th Memorial Ceremony in Pristina in September 2016.

Immediately after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the U.S. Office in Pristina, Kosovo (now U.S. Embassy Pristina) received an outpouring of condolences and sympathies from Kosovo’s political leadership, civil society, and general public alike. Arzen Randobrava, an Information Assistant at U.S. Embassy Pristina, recalled the events of the day: “At first, I could not believe that such a thing could happen. For many in Kosovo, it was disbelief, then mixed with numbness, then a pain which became sadness towards the end of the day. I went home and cried.”

In the days following the attacks, groups gathered across Kosovo – some organized and some spontaneous – to march in support of the United States, to light candles, and to donate blood. One Kosovo civil society organization began an annual film festival dedicated to honoring the victims of 9/11 by “celebrating life and fighting destruction with creation.” Some Kosovo citizens even went to the U.S. Office, volunteering to go fight alongside U.S. servicemen and women in the Global War on Terrorism.

Since the 2001, these memorials and tributes have continued. At a memorial ceremony last year, Kosovo’s then Speaker of Parliament highlighted how the 9/11 attacks “threatened our way of life and our shared democratic values.” For him, the memorial was an opportunity to pledge Kosovo’s continued support of the United States in the ongoing fight against all forms of terrorism and violent extremism.

For others, it is an opportunity for solidarity. Every year in the capital city of Pristina, a group of Kosovo’s police, firefighters and other crisis responders gather around an American flag lowered to half-staff. For them, it’s not only a chance to honor the victims, but also to honor the bravery and courage of their fellow first responders who rushed into danger on that day.

To see more activities from U.S. Embassy Pristina, follow them on Twitter or Facebook.

]]>Three stories of how communities around the world continue to demonstrate support and solidarity for both the victims and the first responders of the attacks of 9/11.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28161State Department and USAID Employees Respond to Hurricane Irmahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/Hp2niS8cyxE/28156Heather NauertSun, 10 Sep 2017 12:45:37 PDTnode-28156-[delta]

I awoke this morning saddened by the devastation wrought by Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean and concerned for those in Florida and the southeastern United States who will be affected by this storm. Our condolences are with those who have lost so much, including their loved ones, from the destruction of Hurricane Irma.

At times like these, I am reminded to "look for the helpers," and in my case, I do not have to go far to find them. Yesterday, employees from the State Department’s San Juan and Dallas Passport Agencies assisted in the evacuation of U.S. citizens from St. Maarten. The employee from the San Juan Passport Agency was particularly selfless, as he undertook these actions despite the fact that he and his loved ones had also been affected by the storm. As of this morning, more than 1,200 U.S. citizens have been evacuated from St. Maarten since Friday.

I have also seen my colleagues in Washington approach this situation with ingenuity and determination. As the Department was reaching out to hotels in the Caribbean to assist American citizens affected by the storm, two of my public affairs colleagues – one of whom has family facing the storm in Florida – reached out to Airbnb, and as a result we were able to assist additional U.S. citizens in the region. We are grateful for Airbnb's cooperation in these efforts.

On September 7, USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, and The Bahamas, and these disaster experts are now coordinating with local authorities and humanitarian organizations on the ground to deliver vital humanitarian assistance. You can learn more about DART's efforts and ways you can assist by going to usaid.gov/irma.

These are just a few examples of the many helpers across the State Department and USAID who are working to assist those affected by the hurricane. Since Tuesday, our embassies have issued security messages and also travel warnings for the affected countries to inform U.S. citizens of the storm and to recommend that they begin making preparations to either depart or to shelter in place. The State Department has regular contact with our embassies to ensure that we have the latest information on our operations, U.S. citizen needs, and disaster assistance plans. We are communicating also with foreign authorities. In terms of our embassy operations and travel warnings, we continue to update information for U.S. citizens on the Hurricane Irma page at travel.state.gov and also through our emergency and security messages.

We are continuing to monitor the path and also the impact of Hurricane Irma as the situation continues to evolve. We have no greater priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens who are overseas. U.S. citizens abroad who require assistance in areas affected by Hurricane Irma or their loved ones can call 1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. & Canada) or +1-202-501-4444 (from Overseas). They can also go to the Department's Task Force Alert page, tfa.state.gov, or email IrmaEmergencyUSC@state.gov. Please go to travel.state.gov and follow @TravelGov on Twitter for updates and more information for U.S. citizens abroad affected by Hurricanes Irma and Jose. If you are in the United States, please go to fema.gov and hurricanes.gov for the latest information.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with those affected by Hurricane Irma, their loved ones, and all who are working to help them.

About the Author: Heather Nauert serves as State Department Spokesperson. For more from Heather, follow @StateDeptSpox on Twitter.

]]>State Department Spokesperson Nauert discusses the Department and USAID's efforts to assist U.S. citizens in the Carribean affected by the storm.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28156Evacuating U.S. Citizens From St. Maartenhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/xA52CTV1qEE/28151Ted ColeySun, 10 Sep 2017 12:01:34 PDTnode-28151-[delta]

At 2:30 AM on Saturday, September 9, I called an employee from the San Juan Passport Agency. I was calling him from the Department of State's Operations Center, and of course, I woke him up. He informed me that his house has been without electricity since Irma passed Puerto Rico. I explained why I was calling and asked if he could help evacuate Americans from St. Maarten.

Two hours later he was at the San Juan airport, where he linked up with an employee of the Dallas Passport Agency. She had traveled overnight from Dallas to Puerto Rico for the same mission. In a short time, they were bound for St. Maarten, traveling to an island devastated by Hurricane Irma, turning the airport into nothing more than a landing strip -- no buildings, no shelter, no electricity, little security.

Their mission? Organize and assist American citizens, so that the U.S. Military could fly as many as possible off the island before Hurricane Jose reaches the island. Together, they helped evacuate over 1,200 Americans since Friday.

They are unsung heroes, and I want others to know of their dedication, their professionalism, and their bravery. I'm proud to call them my colleagues. My thoughts remain with those who are affected by these hurricanes and with those who have responded to assist.

About the Author: Ted Coley serves as Director of the Office of Children's Issues in the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. He is supporting the State Department's Hurricane Irma Task Force.

U.S. citizens abroad who require assistance in areas affected by Hurricane Irma, call 1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. & Canada), +1-202-501-4444 (from Overseas). You can also email IrmaEmergencyUSC@state.gov

]]>A member of the State Department's Hurricane Irma Task Force blogs about our joint effort with the U.S. Military to evacuate American citizens from St. Maarten.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28151This Week at State: September 8, 2017http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/bYUFEzaYHNc/28141DipNote BloggersFri, 08 Sep 2017 11:55:13 PDTnode-28141-[delta]

Did you miss key foreign policy developments this week? We’ve got you covered. Each week, DipNote recaps the latest U.S. Department of State highlights spanning a wide range of global issues, events, and initiatives in one blog post.

As Hurricane Irma moves through the Caribbean, the Department of State has issued an Emergency Alert warning U.S. citizens to avoid travel to The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, and parts of the Eastern Caribbean.

The San Juan and Miami Passport Agencies are closed until further notice. The U.S. Embassies in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, and The Bahamas have also issued Travel Warnings for U.S. citizens due to the storm’s projected impact.

During the State Department Press Briefing on September 7, Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert outlined the State Department’s response to Hurricane Irma, including our emergency assistance to American citizens caught in its path.

U.S. citizens who are overseas and in need of assistance in areas affected by Hurricane Irma should email IrmaEmergencyUSC@state.gov. Additional information for U.S. citizens affected by Hurricane Irma can be found here.

Secretary Tillerson Hosts U.S.-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hosted Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah at the Department of State on September 8 for the U.S.-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue.

This Strategic Dialogue deepens our close relationship, grows bonds between our people, and enhances practical cooperation for the security and prosperity of both of our nations.

- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

During the dialogue, the Department of State and the Kuwaiti Government signed two memorandums of understanding, the first to promote collaboration in higher education, and the second to encourage additional bilateral investment in both countries.

In his remarks, Secretary Tillerson also acknowledged the Kuwaiti Government’s leadership and efforts to help bring about a settlement to the Gulf Cooperation Council dispute, including Egypt, as well as Kuwait’s contributions to regional security and humanitarian initiatives.

Sec Tillerson: U.S.-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue deepens ties between the people of our two nations and enhances methods for info-sharing. pic.twitter.com/5gKtdgXkmG

In her remarks at an Emergency United Nations Security Council Briefing on North Korea on September 4, Ambassador Nikki Haley stated “enough is enough,” the time has come to “exhaust all diplomatic means” and to “adopt the strongest possible measures against North Korea.”

Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert also highlighted the importance of collective diplomatic action during her interview with Fox & Friends on September 4. Spokesperson Nauert highlighted, “The world is in agreement. We want the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. We are not going to give up on the diplomatic option.”

On September 6, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke on the phone with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to discuss recent actions taken by North Korea. During the call, Secretary Tillerson and Foreign Secretary Johnson condemned the North Korea’s most recent nuclear test and discussed the need for increased pressure on the North Korean government, including through a robust new UN Security Council resolution. Secretary Tillerson and Foreign Secretary Johnson agreed on the need for all countries, including China, to take action to exert diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea.

On September 7, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hosted Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita for a meeting at the Department of State.

United States Expresses Deep Concern Regarding Situation in Burma’s Rakhine State

During the State Department Press Briefing on September 7, Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert expressed the United States’ deep concern regarding the troubling situation in Burma’s Rakhine state. Spokesperson Nauert urged all in Burma, including in the Rakhine state, to avoid actions that exacerbate tensions in that area, and called on authorities to facilitate immediate access to affected communities in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.

Citing the financial sanctions against Malek Reuben Riak Rengu, Michael Makuei Lueth, Paul Malong Awan, and three companies connected to Riak Rengu announced by the Department of Treasury on September 6, Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert underscored that the United States will impose consequences on those who expand the conflict and derail peace efforts in South Sudan.

Spokesperson Nauert added “the United States stands ready to impose other measures against those responsible for undermining the peace, security, or stability of South Sudan,” and “the United States is committed to increasing scrutiny on those who enrich themselves through corruption while the South Sudanese people suffer through economic hardship and a dire humanitarian crisis.”

Responding to news reports that Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza Montserrat will address the UN Human Rights Council next week, Ambassador Nikki Haley made the following statement:

“The fact that Venezuela is even a member of the UN Human Rights Council shows the desperate need for HRC reform. Having the Venezuelan foreign minister address the Council makes a mockery of the institution. The Maduro regime continues to rob the Venezuelan people of their freedom and their prosperity. Rather than welcoming the Venezuelan foreign minister, the Human Rights Council should be denouncing his government.”

On September 7, Acting Assistant Secretary Susan Thornton hosted a roundtable with the heads of delegation for 16 Pacific Island countries during the Pacific Islands Forum, Forum Dialogue Partners (PIF FDP). Acting Assistant Secretary Thornton emphasized continued U.S. commitment to the security, prosperity, and stability of the Pacific region.

On September 6, the U.S. Department of State released a new fact sheet on U.S. engagement in the Pacific. The fact sheet outlines the many ways the United States partners with the Pacific Islands to tackle global and regional challenges, including promoting sustainable growth and prosperity, ensuring regional stability, addressing environmental challenges, and strengthening our people-to-people ties.

In a press release published on September 6, the Department of State highlighted its important collaboration with the European Commission to allow for the rapid activation of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) over the Texas and Louisiana coasts to generate up-to-date, satellite-based maps of the flooding due to Hurricane Harvey. With Hurricane Irma projected to reach the Caribbean Islands and the East Coast of the United States, the delivery of EMS products will shift to addressing the response to that major storm. In combination with U.S. satellite data, these maps are critical tools for relief operations by U.S. federal, state, and local disaster responders.

Keshav Yadav, 8, checked out Mota Raja, Putla Kuta (Fat King, Skinny Dog) from the school library again. His dad Bisroo doesn’t mind listening to the same story for the umpteenth time.

This one, about the fat king who can’t seem to catch his skinny dog, is a family favorite. Bisroo has three older children and says that none of them can read with the same fluency or confidence as his youngest.

Keshav is a second grader at the Government Primary School Ilda in the landlocked eastern state of Chhattisgarh. He and his fellow classmates spend 40 minutes a day in the library and another hour in class learning reading strategies.

Like other students in his school, he started checking out books to take home and read with his family. It’s a habit now.

Modifying the Way Teachers Teach

Room to Read, with USAID support, is helping make reading a habit for hundreds of thousands of primary school students in the Indian states of Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand. The project, which began in September 2015, works across 1,360 schools and will expand to 1,100 more schools in two new states this November.

It starts with a detailed teaching plan for grades 1 and 2. Teachers follow the state curriculum while also using a manual created by Room to Read, which allows them to make their lessons more creative and effective. The manual also provides detailed classroom activities that make the concepts easy for students to grasp.

Monika Verma uses the Room to Read teachers manual to guide her reading lessons and activities.

Manual in hand, teachers show students how to write simple and compound words by drawing pictures and drawing boxes to connect the words. The children follow along in their workbooks and answer questions in a chorus.

Keshav’s teacher, Nand Kumar Ratre, says he’s impressed with how fluently Keshav can read. Keshav’s progress is not unique for students involved in this program.

When it started, the students could barely read one word per minute. Rita Sen, a class three teacher, remembers. She used to teach the alphabet letter by letter and cut out shapes in an attempt to make it fun for the students.

by letter and cut out shapes in an attempt to make it fun for the students.

“It was so frustrating! We were trying so hard and rote memorization wasn’t working,” she says. “This sequence of the lessons was hard for me to adjust to, but look at them: they read.”

Less than two years after the Room to Read program began, the children can read 34 words per minute. This level of fluency so early in primary school leaves the teachers free to work with students on developing more advanced reading skills.

Studies indicate that earnings increase by 10 percent with each additional year of schooling. Literacy from an early age is therefore critical for social and economic empowerment. And this holds true for all types of learners.

Forming the Habit

Rita Sen picks a different book every day to read to her students during the designated library hour.

Sen takes her students into the library every day for story time. Today’s book has a jungle theme and the kids are anxious to find out what the bear will do next. Each school library has at least 300 books, which are color-coded depending on the level of difficulty.

First and second graders usually take the books color-coded red or green. Third, fourth and fifth graders, who also spend 40 minutes a day in the library, tend to pick more advanced books marked with yellow and blue stickers.

The number, variety and increasing level of difficulty of the books gives children the option to practice with stories they are interested in reading and the option to try reading advanced stories.

This was not always the case. When Dilip Verma, now 38, attended the same primary school there were only passages in the textbooks with which to practice reading and some books of a very advanced level kept in the principal’s office.

Children and their parents borrow books as often as they please. Parents are becoming increasingly engaged.

Bisroo reads with Keshav a few times a week. “I like the stories and to spend time with my son,” he says.

Mansingh Yadav, another parent with two daughters at the school, agrees: “I want them to read. The more time I invest, the more interested they’ll be in completing their studies.” Yadav’s favorite story that his daughters bring home is Buddha Gharial (The Old Crocodile).

]]>September 8th is World Literacy Day. Read about how Room to Read, with USAID support, is helping make reading a habit for thousands students in India.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28131Eyes in the Sky and Diplomacy on the Ground: U.S.-EU Share Satellite Data in Response to Dangerous Hurricaneshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/Lu5ZZ3gk-Uo/28126Judith G. GarberFri, 08 Sep 2017 06:13:47 PDTnode-28126-[delta]

On August 25, as Hurricane Harvey was bearing down on Texas, an urgent call went out from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to our European partners. FEMA wanted to activate the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS), a critical data-sharing system, which would allow U.S. authorities to better monitor the impact of the storm. Thanks to the Department of State’s coordination with the European Commission, the Copernicus EMS was rapidly enabled over the Texas and Louisiana coasts as Hurricane Harvey evolved into one of the largest recorded rainstorms ever to hit the contiguous United States.

Astronaut Randy Bresnik took this photo of Tropical Storm Harvey from the International Space Station on Aug. 28 at 1:27 p.m. CDT. (NASA/Randy Bresnik)

Just twelve days later on September 6, 2017, the call went out again to activate the EMS in advance of the Category-5 Hurricane Irma. Combined with U.S. weather satellite systems, the addition of the unique Copernicus EMS data has proven invaluable to those on the ground as they attempt to protect life and property.

The GPM core observatory satellite had an exceptional view of hurricane Irma's eye and found extreme rainfall within the Category 5 storm’s eyewall. (NASA/JAXA, Hal Pierce)

The Copernicus EMS provides local, state, and federal disaster managers with free, real-time, all-weather radar satellite images of affected areas. Because the satellite radar sensors can “see” at night and are not affected by cloud coverage, they can differentiate flooded areas from bare soil. As Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, authorities were able to generate the most up-to-date, satellite-based maps of the flood extent. In combination with U.S. satellite data, these maps are critical tools for relief operations by U.S. federal, state, and local disaster responders.

]]>A State Department brokered agreement with the European Commission helped FEMA access a critical data-sharing system to better monitor the impact of Hurricane Harvey.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28126Diversity and Service in Diplomacy – A Distinctly American Storyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dipnote/~3/UWP9fSOWlQM/28111Donald Y. YamamotoThu, 07 Sep 2017 05:33:06 PDTnode-28111-[delta]

Diversity and service have had a lasting impact on my career as these ideals have become increasingly important to the work of the U.S. Department of State. In 1980 when I joined the Foreign Service, I was the only Asian-American in a class almost 40 new officers. More than 30 years later, I am glad to see the face of the Foreign Service is becoming more inclusive and representative of the United States.

The face of public service is also getting younger. Today, over 60 percent of Foreign Service officers have fewer than 10 years of service. As today’s increasingly young workforce works to advance U.S. interests, they are learning the tools of the trade against the backdrop of a highly complex security environment. This dynamic is similar to the dilemmas I faced throughout my career, as I led U.S. peace efforts in Eastern Congo, played a key role in the long border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea that threatened regional security, and served as human rights officer in Beijing, China during the tumultuous Tiananmen Square crisis in 1989.

Each Foreign Service officer brings a unique background -- a distinctly American story -- that helps contribute to making the U.S. diplomatic corps one of the most effective and innovative Services in the world.

My story includes Japanese parents who survived World War II, other family members went to relocation camps in the United States, and other family members joined the famed 100th / 442nd Battalion fighting for the U.S. Army in Europe. The story of my family is truly an American story and it shaped my perspective and approach to diplomacy as I served around the world.

I recently served as a senior advisor on personnel reform. I had the opportunity to help highlight the strength that lies in our diversity. I enjoyed helping develop our Department’s talent to get the most out of our people for the benefit of the Foreign and Civil Service. It has been an honor to underscore the dynamic changes taking place in the State Department and the critical role our employees play on the frontline of advancing U.S. national interests on behalf of the American people. This work is more important now, than ever.

I am always amazed how many countries in the world really look at the United States as a beacon for democracy, human rights, and hope.

Our growth as a nation –- our continued effort to value inclusion and service -- allows our increasingly diverse corps of foreign and civil servants to represent the best of the United States to nations around the world. Going forward it is critical that we share the story of how Foreign Service officers and State Department staff -- in today’s unprecedented era of global challenges -- are making a profound difference in the lives of people and bringing hope to future generations.

About the Author: Donald Y. Yamamotoserves as the Acting Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.

]]>New Acting Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Yamamoto shares the lasting impact diversity and service have had on his career.http://blogs.state.gov/node/28111